TRADER Joe’s can be an intimidating environment for first-time shoppers, but a consumer analyst picked eight can’t-miss, budget-friendly options to get you started.
The analyst curated eight treats, ranging from sweet to savory, all for under $5 at Trader Joe’s.
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“It can be challenging to follow your list in this store as there is no shortage of unique and interesting products to choose from. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can be difficult to decide what to buy,” wrote Jenifer Taylor reporting on Aol.
She went on to explain that the items consumer analyst Julie Ramhold put together are in line with Trader Joe’s notoriety for selling “niche items at low prices.”
SWEETS TO GO AROUND
First, Ramhold suggests trying Maple Poffertjes, which originate from Dutch culture.
They are small, golf ball-sized, fried pastries marketed by the grocery store as a potential breakfast item.
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Like “puff pancakes,” Ramhold praised the convenience and flavor of the pastries.
“They’re easy to make by popping them in the oven,” she said.
“What’s so great is that you get delicious pancake cakes, but they crisp up in the oven, so it’s not the typical pancake experience.”
These bite-sized pieces cost $3.49 per 10-ounce box.
The next sweet treat to make her list was a Chocolate Chip Pan Au Lait, which translates from French as Chocolate Chip Milk Bread.
Similar to Poffertjes, Ramhold said these portable versions of the French delicacy make a great on-the-go breakfast.
“Kids will enjoy them for a quick breakfast and adults will enjoy them with a cup of coffee no matter what time of day,” she said.
“These rolls are also a good size, so the value of the package is great.”
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Pan Au Lait is just $3.49.
In a unique mix of sweet and savory, Just a Handful of Rainbow’s End Trail Mix is also on the reviewer’s list.
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The 15-ounce bag contains several bags of coated to-go milk chocolates, roasted and salted peanuts, almonds and California raisins.
As trail miz is individually packaged, it’s easy to take just one on the go, so it can fit in your pocket or bag to satisfy your hunger quickly.
At $4.99, this is one of the more expensive items on the list, but it’s still affordable.
SNACKS AND SAVORY MEALS
Ramhold’s list of tasty snacks and meals is a little longer than its sweets, but it contains a wide variety of options.
First up are Trader Joe’s Crispy Jalapeño Bites, which are tasty as a quick snack or on top of already fan favorites to add some spice and crunch.
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“Honestly, they’re great sprinkled over hard-boiled eggs right before serving or added as a topping on burgers for a spicy crunch,” Ramhold said.
“If you really like spicy items, you might even enjoy snacking on them on their own, but either way, they’re worth keeping in your pantry regularly.”
Coming in a resealable jar, the 5.5 ounces of crunchy goodness is just $2.99.
The next one is a more exclusive item that the average supermarket rarely sells, Cauliflower Slims.
These are traditional wrap substitutes made from shredded cauliflower, egg, parmesan cheese, and nutritional yeast cooked together.
Whether you want to reduce your carb intake or follow a gluten-free diet, Slim Cauliflower is an ingredient worth trying, costing just $3.99.
Another breakfast option on the list is Egg Bites, which come in two different flavors, Cheddar Cheese and Uncured Bacon or Cheese, Spinach and Kale.
The snacks are pre-cooked in a muffin-style packaging and only need to be microwaved for 60 seconds before consumption.
Top Five Fan Favorites Returning to Trader Joe’s This Spring
Spicy Popcorn
First seen in stores last month, Trader Joe’s snack aisle recently received an interesting new addition, Eat this, not that! reported.
Spicy popcorn (140 calories) is seasoned with a flavorful blend of onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and nutritional yeast for a rich, slightly cheesy flavor. Sloan described it as having a “rich umami flavor.”
Danish Cinnamon Twist Pastry
Trader Joe’s shoppers will have yet another sweet treat to choose from when the retailer launches its new Cinnamon Twist Danish later this month. The roast features a Danish dough with cinnamon and a cream-type filling. And according to podcasters, it’s absolutely huge. Amy said it was almost like an “oversized cinnamon bun.”
The item will only be available for a limited time, but Amy said it should still be in stores around Easter and Mother’s Day.
Thai Peanut Satay Sauce
Trader Joe’s is offering customers a taste of Thailand with a new Thai Peanut Satay Sauce (80 calories) sourced from a supplier in the Asian country. The sauce is made with coconut milk, peanuts, red curry paste and a variety of flavorful seasonings, making it an ideal accompaniment to grilled proteins.
Miller said Trader Joe’s has offered peanut sauces in the past, but believes this new iteration is “better than any” version they’ve offered before. The item is now available in stores.
Brown Sugar Boba Mochi
Mochi fans, rejoice! The new Brown Sugar Boba Mochi are coming to a Trader Joe’s store near you right now. Miller said the treats feature fluffy rice dough surrounding a small boba pearl. They are also individually wrapped to ensure they don’t stick together.
Dulce de leche ice cream
Trader Joe’s stores tend to have limited freezer space, so the retailer is always rotating its ice cream selection to introduce interesting new flavors. The newest iteration is a dulce de leche ice cream, with a caramel-flavored base and a hint of dulce de leche. The limited-time item is expected to hit freezer shelves in late March.
A package of these quick breakfast snacks, two bites each, costs $3.49.
To round out the day’s meals, chicken-free tangerine chunks have been described as a “freezer staple”, especially for those following a meat-free diet.
Priced at $3.79 for a 9.25-ounce bag, the quick-meal option is made from wheat and soy protein to mimic the store’s already popular frozen orange chicken.
“Because our Orange Chicken is so popular, we’re pleased to say that our vegan customers will once again have the chance to try the deliciousness,” the Trader Joe’s product description reads.
While not a food itself, this last item on the list is a fan-favorite seasoning that can be added to many foods for extra flavor.
Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend is a 2.3-ounce glass jar of Everything Bagel seasoning blended: sesame seeds (white and black), poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion, and sea salt flakes.
With its sprinkled topping and small size, the seasoning can easily be thrown into a bag or lunch box to have on hand for a quick topping on a planned meal or a unfortunately underwhelming takeout meal.
At just $1.99, this might be an item worth stocking up on because of how quickly some people go through it.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
